FEBRUARY 12, 2021 VOL. 26 NO. 2 THE BUZZ

People-friendly speed zones near you, 4 Almost sourdough bread, 5 Centretowners flock to a changed skateway Alayne McGregor

entretowners un- expectedly found C themselves the envy of suburban when the National Capi- tal Commission (NCC) opened the skateway in late January. In light of the pandemic, the NCC asked skaters to “access those NCC assets closest to their home” and follow public health stay- at-home orders, including to avoid non-essential trips. On CBC Radio, NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum said “the skateway really should be used for those who live locally, for those who can walk there.” It’s not clear how many Ottawans actually followed this advice. For those who did lace up their skates, the experience was noticeably different. “This sea- son will be like no other,” the commission said, emphasizing In the middle of a tough winter, the Rideau Canal skateway became a magnet for locals of all ages needing exercise. that the purpose of the skate- Stephen Thirlwall/The BUZZ way was for exercise only. metres away from anyone days a week, pedestrians and Analysis There were no change not in their household. cyclists can fill the driveway, huts, BeaverTail kiosks, or Those who prefer non-icy and motor vehicles will not skate rentals. Masks were surfaces also got a boon from be allowed. Sidewalks: flat or strongly recommended while the NCC last month. Until This follows the highly skating and required in the May 1, the Queen Elizabeth successful closure of the drive- rollercoaster? limited washroom facilities. Driveway between Somerset way last spring and summer. Alayne McGregor The rollercoaster design One hundred more benches Street and Fifth Avenue will The Centretown Community (called “traditional” by the were added. And skaters be restricted to active trans- Association has requested that ow much slope city) creates a low section in were asked to wash or sani- portation during the day. the NCC consider making the do you want in the sidewalk at every drive- tize their hands and keep two From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven closure permanent. H your sidewalk for way, which can accumulate a comfortable and safe water, ice, or snow from walk? That’s the question sidewalk plows. At their New Rochester Street public housing the City of Ottawa is ask- worse during freeze-thaw ing residents as it revisits cycles, these sidewalks can incorporates “passive house” efficiency its sidewalk design stan- become a series of slippery Alayne McGregor dards. mini-ice rinks. Because those or almost 60 years, Comments are due sections are also lower to the brick townhouses at the city by Tuesday, road, they provide less protec- F lined Gladstone February 16. Send them to tion from ponded water on the Avenue between Booth [email protected]. road, increasing the likelihood and Rochester. Now Ot- The debate is over how of wet feet. When driveways tawa Community Housing sidewalks should cross are wider, this can mean a long (OCH) is replacing those driveway entrances. Should section with little protection. buildings with a new de- they dip down at every The driveway sections velopment called Mosaïq, driveway (the “rollercoaster” slope both towards the street which will be eight times design), or should they and downwards and up- as dense and at least four remain at the same level wards, creating a less stable times as energy-efficient. except for a short ramp by surface for pedestrians, es- A new midrise building the street (the “flat” design)? pecially in icy conditions, on the north side of Glad- The city currently supports and increasing the amount of stone has been under con- both standards. work required to navigate a struction since last fall, and The ideal situation is for wheelchair. is scheduled to be ready at each sidewalk to be sepa- The flat design (called the end of this summer. It’s rated from the road by a bou- “ramp style” by the city) is 811 Gladstone under construction. Alayne McGregor/The BUZZ the first of a series of new levard or furniture area, and used on sidewalks at least buildings in that area: the said the new building at 811 The old townhouses were for the ramp to be included 1.8m wide. (The normal resi- area south of Gladstone up Gladstone will have one built in the early 60s, after there outside the sidewalk. dential sidewalk width is 1.8 to the Queensway is also be- thing in common with the the former private affordable But in areas like Centretown to 2m.) The 0.75m section ing completely redeveloped former townhouses: it will housing was expropriated. with narrower road rights- nearest the road is sloped by OCH for a new mixed- accommodate families. The They were some of the first of-way, most sidewalks are to meet the road, while the income neighbourhood. building will include three- affordable housing built and immediately beside the road, grade is consistent on the re- Cliff Youdale, OCH’s and four-bedroom units, a owned by the city. and there are many drive- maining 1.05 to 1.25m. chief development officer, rarity in Centretown. cont in “Rochesterville” on p. 3 ways per block. cont in “Sidewalk” on p. 4 2 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA FEBRUARY 12, 2021 The Lighter Side of the Pandemic, by Karen Munro-Caple February 12, 2021 — Vol. 26, No. 2 THE CENTRETOWN BUZZ AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA SINCE 1995.

101-210 Gloucester St. Ottawa, ON K2P 2K4 Phone: 613-565-6012

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BUZZ Staff

Managing editor: Alayne McGregor [email protected]

Associate editor: Eleanor Sawyer

City Editor: Robert Smythe [email protected]

Distribution manager: Archie Campbell [email protected] The Good, the Bad, and the Bumpy: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Just a little respect The Centretown BUZZ is created and distributed in Centretown, Ottawa, located on traditional and Ryan Lythall The second reason may be due to thoughts associated with the word vul- unceded Algonquin land. was recently informed about a ignorance. Your first experience being nerable. person with disabilities who was around a person with a disability may Personally speaking, I’ve had sev- I robbed just outside the former have occurred when you were a child. eral people steal money from me and NEXT ISSUE Metro store on Rideau Street last You may not fully understand why a items from my home, as well as dam- year. This type of mistreatment of disabled person is being treated differ- age my belongings. In some cases, they The next issue of The BUZZ will be published the disabled has been happening for ently. All you see is one person with a got away with it. But in other cases they Mar. 12. Deadline for ads and submissions: Mar. 1. years. specific disability. As you get older and didn’t. One reason is because I fought ISSN 1204-1604 There seems to be a general feel- encounter others with disabilities, you back. Thankfully, it wasn’t a physical ing that people with disabilities don’t rely on what you learned as a child and fight. But it was still a fight. It seems deserve to be given the same respect as this is how you continue to deal with like I’ve been fighting for my whole ADVERTISING those without a disability. I believe that someone with a disability. All disabled life, and the same goes for many people there are a few reasons why people with people are the same. with disabilities. The BUZZ is proud to offer an effective advertising disabilities are often disrespected and As for the third reason, it’s been my The truth is, people with disabilities medium that reaches 10,000 Centretown homes and mistreated. experience that people with disabilities are, in fact, just like everyone else. We businesses each month. Our competitive advertising rates are First, there’s fear of the unknown are often viewed as weak or vulner- have different personalities and differ- as low as $31 per issue. and not seeing the person. The first able. The media seems to enjoy using ent lives, and our disabilities affect us in View our rate card and publishing dates at thing that people notice about me in the V-word, especially during the pan- many different ways. So please do not centretownbuzz.com/advertising. public is my wheelchair. I can dress up demic. While it may be true, in some assume that we’re all the same because For more information, email or wear casual clothes but I can’t hide cases, we’re not all the same. By put- we’re not. [email protected] or call 613-565-6012. my wheelchair or any of the technology ting that message out there that we’re As the classic song goes, all we’re that it takes to power my chair. So many all vulnerable, you’re telling others that asking for is a little respect. Thank you to our volunteer carriers people see a machine on wheels and, all people with disabilities can be taken often, it’s the only thing they choose to advantage of, aren’t capable of fighting Follow Ryan on Twitter: Ahmed Shalabi, Amanda Asquith, Anne O’Connor, see. back, along with many other negative @rolling_enigma Archie Campbell, Arwyn Holmes, Bayne Pearen, Betty Gregory, Brendan Hennigan, Brent McLean, Brett Delmage, Carol Sissons, Cassidy Beers, From the managing editor’s desk Catharine Vandelinde, Catherine Boucher, Alayne McGregor So when my street was scheduled for a complete reconstruc- Charles Akben-Marchand, Chris Edwards, Craig Layng, The Centretown BUZZ is back in print this month! If you tion, we started pushing for a “flat” design as is used in Toronto. Colleen McGuire, David Seaborn, Debbie Barton, , Don Smith, Drina Wethey, Eleanor Sawyer, see one of our delivery volunteers in your neighbourhood this It’s worked out well on my street and made my walks much Emily Graves, Emma Chamberlain, Glynda Newton, weekend, please thank them for delivering in the cold and snow. more pleasant. I also heard from a friend who regularly uses a James Bruce, Jennifer Bedwell, Kathleen Oliver, Missed us last month? Our January issue was online-only wheelchair that the flat sidewalks were much easier to navigate Kenney Vandelinde, Kim Malcolm, Laura Mueller, because of the health emergency. But you can still check it out in a chair than those which frequently dip up and down. Michael Hatfield, Michael Powell, Michelle Kirkman, at centretownbuzz.com. Learn more about city snow clearing, Now Councillor is pushing against the flat Mike Gregory, Mindy Sichel, Neil Parkinson-Dow, monster skyscrapers, ghost hotels, Cycle Salvation, and the design, saying it reduces the amount of space in which to walk. Pam Gahan, Pat Shaulis, Patricia Marsden-Dole, people who have been brightening this area and our lives. Surely that concern would be better addressed by expanding Robert Smythe, Ruth Barrie, Shelley Pearen, Suzanne Nash, the total sidewalk width and maybe adding a boulevard? Venita Warren, Wendy Bennett, Wendy Hunter, As I was putting this issue to bed, I learned that the City If you have opinions on this, you have until the 16th to Wendy Sewell, Zsofia Orosz of Ottawa was reviewing its sidewalk design standards. This notify the city (see p. 1). It should be an interesting debate. is an issue dear to my heart: I was one of a group who pushed To join our distribution team, please call for better sidewalk designs after amalgamation. Centretown Ottawa Counselling Practice 613-565-6012 or email I had become really tired of wet feet caused by the ponds Dr. Andrew C. Watson, BA (psych), M.D., CCFP [email protected] of water that seemed to accumulate on sidewalks every time they dipped for a driveway. And when that water froze, it was • Adult (18+) individual counselling • Focus on people who have been affected (past or present) or The Centretown BUZZ is published by the Centretown BUZZ Board even worse: a series of treacherously icy patches that were concerned with another’s alcoholism or drug addiction of Directors, a group consisting of community difficult to navigate, especially since the sidewalk was sloped members representing all residents of Centretown. • Stable concurrent disorders/problems welcome: in three different directions. e.g. complex PTSD, depression, childhood trauma/neglect The Centretown BUZZ operates under the guidelines of the It also seemed ridiculous to me that driveways should • Non-OHIP, private practice Canadian Copyright Act. have priority over pedestrians on sidewalks. Most residential © 2021 The Centretown BUZZ driveways are only used a few times a day, while people are [email protected] walking on sidewalks all the time. FEBRUARY 12, 2021 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA 3 Skyline: The tortuous path of a development site Was it worth the wait? Robert Smythe Any new apartment building up to 27 storeys are allowed. ast month, The would be limited to a maxi- This is the document that BUZZ exposed the mum height of 12 storeys dictates what can be built on L vagaries of the and a total floor area of no the land assemblies in this city’s Landmark Buildings more than three times site district. Policy which permits new coverage. The plan has ruled that developments of seeming- What was known as a “the CDP encourages larger ly unlimited heights to be technical anomaly–that is, a scale developments within shoehorned into low-rise mistake–crept into the zon- the apartment neighbourhood areas, in our story about ing bylaw in 1998 when the designation, specifically on 267 O’Connor. Centretown Plan was up- underutilized sites (large sur- This month, we explore a dated. The Lisgar Street half face parking lots)” by stating project that actually respects of the property permitted that “[c]ompatible intensi- the overall intentions of the a maximum density (three fication is encouraged and Official Plan. times lot size) but no speci- where appropriate buildings The Richcraft Group of fied height limit. The rest of can be as tall as 27 storeys.” Companies proposes to build the land–the Nepean Street However, this is only a two residential towers atop lot–was zoned for a maxi- broad policy direction. The a podium on back-to-back mum height (i.e., 12 storeys) old underlying zoning of 12 Lisgar and Nepean lots east but with no density limit. storeys remains in place so of . These adjoin- This confusion was to have that a public benefits agree- ing properties have been sur- serious consequences in the ment, negotiated under Sec- face parking lots for almost following years. tion 37 of the Planning Act, 60 years (see accompanying can be implemented in ex- Views of the proposed development at 176 Nepean and 307 Lisgar Streets. Will these be the historic photos). The Cen- Catalyst for overhauling change for the upzoning. city’s first Jenga towers? (City of Ottawa Development Application files) tretown Heritage Conserva- Centretown plan tion District is situated to the Seizing on the discrep- Jenga-style towers and mass are more or less in ducing massing impacts for neighbouring older buildings south and the downtown of- ancy, developers success- It’s the height increase conformity with the rules, neighbouring residents.” The and the streetscape” may be fice district sits to the north. fully argued that they should proposed for the Lisgar por- what of their urban design? To study also describes the proj- debatable to some. It is the be subject to neither height tion of the property, along begin with, because this site ect as both “stark” and “cre- standard ploy for architects Complicated history nor density limits. The glitch with a request for various doesn’t have three street front- ative.” Finally, it is held to be trying to fit tall buildings into This site’s zoning his- became the catalyst for the set-back reductions from ages, they are not eligible for non-interfering with any im- historic communities. tory is quite complex. In the Centretown Community De- the lot lines and between the consideration under the Land- portant “view planes,” such The rest of the project early 1960s, when the area sign Plan (CDP 2007-12), towers, that is the subject mark Buildings Policy. as the distant views of the is certainly distinctive–a was still covered by wood- which started out as a cor- of the current application From the applicant’s Parliament Buildings. watered-down version of the framed houses, the city’s rection to this problem and for a zoning bylaw amend- planning consultant’s report, Of course, it must be Jenga-style towers now seen first zoning bylaw (AZ-64) metastasized into a complete ment. Both are likely to be we read that “architectur- remembered that, as is the in other North American cit- contemplated replacing these overhaul of the entire neigh- approved because they fall ally they are striking ex- case in all development ap- ies such as Toronto. It’s by blocks of Lisgar and Nepean bourhood plan. within the general intent pressions that will be seen plications to the city, these Graziani + Corazza Archi- with office towers and high- The new Centretown of the Official Plan and the as positive additions to the design analyses are opinions tects Inc. of Mississauga. rise apartments. CDP reclassified the two- Provincial Policy Statement Ottawa skyline.” And that bought and paid for by the This may be a refreshing de- With the adoption of the block-wide swath, including encouraging greater density, the heights “place them as owner. Whether the veneer- parture for Ottawa. original Centretown Plan this site south of the Central both of which form the se- part of the high-rise district ing of the lower three floors More information: in 1976, commercial or of- Area, as an apartment neigh- nior governing legislation. of ” with with a layer of brick “shows devapps.ottawa.ca/en/appli- fice uses were prohibited. bourhood where towers of If the two towers’ height the three-storey podium “re- respect and [is] sensitive to cations/__BA9DI7/details

Some of the old houses that once sat on the Lisgar/Nepean site. They were documented by the City of Ottawa’s Urban Renewal Department in 1962-63, just prior to their demolition for interim use as parking lots while awaiting redevelopment. It has taken almost 60 years for this to happen. (City of Ottawa Archives) ority for places in the new buildings, he said. condensation by providing proper ventilation, he said. It en- Rochesterville redux OCH’s approach was to acknowledge that it will be own- sures “there’s more than adequate ventilation–but you do heat cont from p. 1 ing these buildings for a very long time, he said. “So from that recovery on that. It’s a very well-engineered system.” The new building will include units from bachelors to perspective, it’s a priority for us to make sure these buildings OCH recently received an award for 1290 Coldrey Av- four-bedrooms. “Unless you protect against it, when you go are sustainable long into the future.” enue, which was its first mixed-use Passive House. From that to elevated buildings and higher density, the general default 811 Gladstone was designed to meet the high building ef- project, Youdale said, they learned that one of the bigger chal- is to go to more singles and two-bedroom units. We wanted to ficiency standards set by the Passive House Institute ofthe lenges of Passive House is making sure “that it’s able to deal make sure that we brought as many family units back to that United States. What that means is that each apartment will only with the hottest days in the summer and maintaining tenant community as we had, and ideally more. And our plans will cost $100 to $150 a year to heat [with natural gas], versus what comfort at those times.” have more family units when we’re done, and more kids in could be four or five times that. “We know that utilities really The development will carry on “the heritage of that neigh- the neighbourhood than we had before.” affect the affordability for the tenant. So our ability to control bourhood. It used to be called Rochesterville, and it was always There will also be barrier-free units for the disabled and those really helps in creating long-term sustainability. an area that had housing for the working poor. With the expro- 36 units reserved for seniors. “What you end up with is a super-insulated building with priation, that disappeared obviously, but we’re now able to put Youdale said the ultimate development of both sides of state-of-the-art heat recovery on fresh air, and high-efficiency it back in. Here we are half a century later and there’s an oppor- Gladstone Avenue will be mixed-income and mixed-use. boiler systems. So you’re really minimizing the total amount tunity to breathe new life into it and get another 50 or 60 years, However, 811 Gladstone will be all affordable, ranging from of heating required and ensuring that whatever heat you do hopefully, of affordable housing in that same neighbourhood.” rent geared to income to mid-range affordable.The tenants provide is as efficient as possible.” Learn lots more about this project in a who had been living in the former townhouses will have pri- The Passive House design avoids problems with mold or longer story at centretownbuzz.com 4 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA FEBRUARY 12, 2021 After Pressed closure, Oat Couture plans to bring the music back Victoria Welland November BUZZ.) ronment, featuring folk, jazz, Oat Couture opened Canadiana, gospel and coun- at Couture has its first cafe in Old Ottawa try acts. “There’s so much opened a second South in 2018. Its menu talent. Local music is what O location in the for- offers sweet and savoury we’re looking for. I think mer Pressed Cafe. The new dishes primarily based on there’s a real demand for owner, Brian Montgomery, oatmeal and oats, plus coffee that.” The venue will contin- hopes to continue that ven- and tea. ue with open mic nights and ue’s live music culture and Cafe owner Montgom- will also allow musicians to community spirit. ery was looking to expand use their stage for rehearsal Pressed provided a warm to a second location before space. and welcoming environment the pandemic began. When Under the current pan- for Ottawa’s artistic com- Pressed went up for sale, he demic restrictions, Oat Cou- munity, according to Noah saw the advantages it could ture is offering delivery or Pacheco, a 24-year-old local offer, including a thriving pickup on Uber Eats and musician who launched his neighbourhood, a larger space SkipTheDishes. In the com- second studio album there and a performance area. ing weeks, they will set up last February. “One thing I “We loved the stage and an on-site payment system really liked about Pressed the room and saw the possi- and hope to have indoor din- was the inclusivity of it all,” bilities,” said Montgomery. ing and live entertainment as said Pacheco. “There was al- He plans to make live music soon as possible, Montgom- ways a safe space where you a central part of the space, ery said. feel like family.” with a focus on local musi- “We’re in it for the food, Like many local cafes cians. There will be oppor- we’re in it for the music. We and live music venues, CO- tunities for casual daytime don’t just want 8 o’clock VID-19 created financial acts as well as shows in the and 10 o’clock shows. This strain for Pressed. After try- evening, when Oat Cou- should be a place where you ing to adapt with different ture turns into Montgomery can come . . . to at 4 p.m. on offerings, the Gladstone Av- Scotch Lounge. a weekday in the summer or enue cafe closed in October He said he hoped to cre- spring and have a drink and 2020 (see the article in the ate a fun and laid-back envi- listen to some live music.” Oat Couture is remodelling the former Pressed Cafe at 750 Gladstone. Victoria Welland/The BUZZ : reclaiming our public spaces Catherine McKenney 30km/hr. In fact, almost all of Somerset Ward residen- f you live or travel in tial streets west of Lyon have many parts of Somerset had the speed limit reduced I Ward, you may have under the gateway speed noticed some changes over zones program introduced in the past few months. 2018. Next year, most of the The speed limit in many ward east of will neighbourhoods has been also have their speed limits reduced from 50km/hr to reduced. The program gives coun- cillors the opportunity to pick one neighbourhood New 30km/h speed zones on Centretown streets. each year for local speed Charles Akben-Marchand/The BUZZ reductions. Councillors can hood safety. This included mentation of traffic calming also pay for additional zones some residential streets, a measures. through their annual tempo- block on Somerset Street When it comes to our rary traffic calming budget. West east of Bank and others roads, safety and comfort for Why is this reduction im- on Frank and Flora Streets, pedestrians and cyclists must The City of Ottawa is reviewing its portant? which also supported the come first. There is much Studies–many from all small businesses on these more to do. But starting with Winter Maintenance Quality Standards, over the world–have shown streets. Bank Street was reduced speeds and opening with a focus on: that reduced speeds are es- opened up to pedestrians on up our streets to people are sential to saving lives. One Saturdays and Queen Eliza- good beginnings. study, released just a year beth Drive was closed to mo- Of course, ensuring that • Residential roads • Cycling pathways ago by BMC Public Health, tor vehicles, which was co- our streets are built with • Multi-use pathways • Sidewalks looked at the number of pe- ordinated with the National the highest level of service destrian-vehicle collisions Capital Commission. for pedestrians, cyclists and in Toronto and the effect I will continue to work other vulnerable users in the of speed on survival. They with you to see more of our first place is the ultimate so- Virtual consultations Survey available found that simply changing neighbourhoods made safer lution to providing safe tran- January 25, 26, 27 and 28 January 18 to February 19 speed limits from 40 km/h to in the future through reduced sit for all users in our city. 30 km/h reduced the number speed limits and the imple- of pedestrians hit by cars by 28 percent. More important- Sidewalk standards review ly, this change also reduced cont from p 1 Join the discussion the number of major injuries This creates a consistent surface for walking, which can also and fatalities by a whopping be cleared of snow and ice more uniformly. at engage.ottawa.ca/wmqs 2020-094_03 67 percent. At 50km/h, a car The ramps also visually separate space for foot traffic needs nearly 28m to stop. from space for vehicles on the road. But at 30km/h it needs less On the other hand, motorists need to enter ramped driveways than half that–only 13.3m. more slowly because of the steeper slope. Wheelchair users may Residents across Somer- have more difficulty entering a sidewalk at a driveway because set Ward have told me that of the gradient (entering at an intersection is not affected). we must make our streets It’s awkward to walk or push a stroller or other wheeled safer for everyone and I device over the ramped section beside the street, especially agree. In too many places, when slippery. When the overall sidewalk is narrow, this may it’s dangerous to cross the not leave enough space to easily walk two abreast on the re- street with or without a traf- maining flat section. fic light. I believe it’s essen- For more information, see the series of blog posts by Accessible formats tial to reclaim these public Charles Akben-Marchand in 2014 about these standards, and communication supports spaces for everyone. starting with centretown.blogspot.com/2014/01/peds-on- are available, upon request. This commitment to pub- weds-toronto-style-sidewalks.html lic safety also saw street clo- The city review page is at https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/ sures last year for neighbour- public-engagement/projects/sidewalk-standards FEBRUARY 12, 2021 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA 5 Planet of the Scapes: ACORN calls for affordable LeBreton Alayne McGregor plan to develop the remain- developer or government der of the 29-hectare area. agency that results from ne- healthy balances he rebuilding of Le- The process will be in four gotiations to garner commu- Breton Flats must stages, starting with the area nity support for the project. inch diameter cast iron pan for 10 minutes T include housing, nearest the future Ottawa Based on the survey, the or a ceramic casserole for 30 minutes. Put in childcare, and jobs for those Central Library. group is asking that 35 per- one dough ball and cover with foil. Let bake living in the surrounding Blaine Cameron, the cent of the housing on the 30 minutes, then remove the cover and bake neighbourhoods, according chair of ACORN Ottawa, Flats be affordable, defined as until chestnut brown, about 15 minutes more. to ACORN Ottawa. said they wanted to ensure 30 percent of one’s income, Invert from the pan and let sit for 15-30 min- The organization of low- that the needs and priori- in perpetuity. Affordable utes until the crackling stops. to moderate-income families ties of their members and housing should be provided released a report in January all low-income people were in each phase of the develop- Main Dish: Egg Bombe (serves 2) demanding specific benefits represented in that process. ment, with a mix of income Picture the structure of a chocolate bombe for local residents, based on “Given that we’re in the levels in each block and with cake. Now, substitute protein. a survey it conducted in the middle of a housing crisis in options for families and the No, no, wait! It’s better than it sounds. It area around the Flats starting this city, we regard this de- disabled as well as singles. is a fast snack or main dish with a fancy look. in late 2019. velopment with great interest It’s also asking for afford- • 2 eggs Residents were asked as something that could help able retail, a grocery store, a • 1-inch square of cheese what should be included in the alleviate that crisis through community hub, childcare, development of the Flats. Of more affordable housing, health services, and public Reheat: the 302 responses¸ some were and act as a model of what a wi-fi in the redeveloped Flats. • 4-5 Tbsp refried beans from in-person interviews in vibrant and inclusive neigh- The jobs created in re- • 1 small sweet potato, baked a door-to-door campaign in bourhood can look like.” building the Flats should Pearl Pirie/The BUZZ Centretown, Little Italy, Chi- The top needs identified offer opportunities to histori- Pearl Pirie Mix: natown, Mechanicsville, and by residents were affordable cally disadvantaged commu- • 1 Tbsp mayonnaise , while others were housing, childcare spaces, nities, and a percentage of re we all over making sourdough • 1/2 tsp Keene’s hot mustard filled on the web or over the and local hiring, with 92 to 93 the jobs should go to those yet? Have all your yeast pets • 1/2 Tbsp nutritional yeast phone. Almost 80 percent of percent support. Other con- living in the surrounding A died? respondents were renters and cerns included a community neighbourhoods, it says. How about making loaves of dough and Garnish: 17 percent homeowners. centre/library (26 percent); The report quoted then baking when you’re ready? After two to • salsa or pickled hot peppers was once food security/creation of a 63-year-old Michel Bigras, three days in the fridge, they take on a sour- a working-class neighbour- grocery store (19 percent); whose family had to leave dough texture. hood of more than 2,800 peo- greenspace (19 percent); so- Duke Street because of the Honestly, I am more a baker than a cook. ple, before it was expropriat- cial enterprises and small, expropriation. I would rather make bread and desserts than ed by the federal government local businesses (11 percent); “LeBreton Flats was anything. Unfortunately, for health we have in the early 1960s. ACORN and accessible, pedestrian- promised to the people who to eat more broadly than bread and cheese. argues that the National friendly transit (7 percent). lived there in the past ... now Bah! According to guides on lowering blood Capital Commission (NCC), ACORN Ottawa is ask- I would like to see mixed pressure, we should cut sugar and carbs and which is now overseeing the ing that the benefits be - en communities, working class up the protein. As well as, you know, getting redevelopment of the Flats, shrined in a community people living alongside peo- cardio exercise for at least three hours a week. has a responsibility to these benefit agreement (CBA). A ple from every walk of life. Not enough to walk about. Double-bah! communities, not developers. CBA is a legally enforceable To do that, we need to see the The NCC is about to fi- contract signed by commu- NCC commit to more afford- Side Dish: Almost Sourdough Bread nalize its master concept nity groups and by a private able housing.”

Dry: • 400g (3 cups) unbleached white flour • 400g (3 cups) whole wheat flour • 2 1/2 tsp salt Pearl Pirie/The BUZZ • 1 tsp yeast Place a slice of sweet potato as your base. Add a dollop of mayo mix. Wet: Beat each egg in its own small bowl. The • 2 2/3 to 3 cups tap water (depending on the bowl should be at least as wide as the sweet Have your say on ambient humidity) potato piece. Top the egg with grated cheese. Microwave for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl Top each sweet potato with a mound of Ottawa’s Community and make a hollow in the centre. Add water refried beans. Invert each egg on top of a pile and mix until all flour is combined. It will be to cover it. Depending on the size of your a fairly wet, but not soupy dough. bowl it may top it, or cover it. Top it with a Safety and Well-Being Cover with a metal lid and let rise 12-18 button of garnish for colour. hours at room temperature. When doubled, remove from the bowl and shape into two Pearl Pirie’s fourth poetry collection, Plan or three balls in separate bowls, adding flour footlights is getting good reviews! Get your to prevent sticking. Let rise for one to two copy: www.radiantpress.ca/shop/footlights hours, until poking the ball keeps the indent. Keep staying home, washing your hands, Put the dough you won’t cook now tightly phones and masks. Get the vaccine when sealed in the fridge. you can. Coming in April: online classes on Join the conversation now! At 475°F (250°C), preheat an eight to 10- editing at www.pearlpirie.com/classes For more information: Visit ottawa.ca/CSWBP

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Catherine McKenna M.P. for | Députée pour Ottawa-Centre 2020-087_03

Constituency Office | Bureau de circonscription : Telephone | Téléphone : 613-946-8682 Email | Courriel : [email protected] 6 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA FEBRUARY 12, 2021 Expect more e-scooters downtown in 2021 $2.5M of photo radar fines will Alayne McGregor Bank, and Preston Streets because of concerns raised by xpect to see even were identified as high-com- the visually impaired about subsidize road safety programs more e-scooters plaint areas. scooters being ridden on or Alayne McGregor eras in designated commu- compliance with the posted E back in Centretown The city’s Accessibil- blocking sidewalks. They nity safety zones and posted speed limits–which is the this summer. A second year ity Advisory Committee said said it was incumbent on the ttawa speeders signs warning motorists they kind of behavioural changes of the contentious pilot the city must create a single- providers to find ways to pre- contributed more were in operation. Motorists we want to see from drivers program was unanimous- step enforcement mechanism vent riding on sidewalks. O than $2.5 million photographed breaking the as part of this program.” ly approved by the city’s for the removal of improper- The e-scooter program to city road safety pro- speed limit received tickets All of the pilot program Transportation Committee ly parked e-scooters. was supported by OCOBIA, grams in under six months in the mail. locations were in the sub- on February 3, with double “Encountering a barrier the umbrella association of in 2020. The total raised in 2020 urbs. In October 2019, Coun- the number of scooters. like an improperly parked Ottawa business improve- The city’s new Automat- was $2,559,921.50; the two cillor Catherine McKenney This was despite safety e-scooter is demoralizing, ment areas, because scooters ed Speed Enforcement (photo fixed cameras raised more and the Dalhousie Commu- concerns raised by local resi- frustrating, and sends a sig- allowed customers to access radar) cameras began operat- than $500,000 each. nity Association advocated dents and councillors. nal that disability is not wel- mainstreet businesses with- ing in eight locations–none in Mayor Jim Watson said for a camera at Booth Street The city’s e-scooter pro- comed or valued in Ottawa.” out needing parking. central Ottawa–starting July that the cameras have also and Gladstone Avenue be- gram manager, Kathleen In the general survey, a For 2021, scooters could 13. Two cameras were fixed caused motorists to slow cause of speeding and high Wilker, told the committee that clear majority of both riders be deployed as early as April and two rotated among the down. “Staff have also ob- truck traffic in that area. The 600 e-scooters were deployed and non-riders were dissatis- 1, contingent on weather, the other six locations. served a reduction in op- location is by St. Anthony’s in Ottawa in 2020 by three fied with the process for- re completion of spring street The city placed the cam- erating speeds and greater School and near day cares, companies. More than 72,720 porting misparked scooters. sweeping operations, and the churches, and housing. unique riders made more than “Although some residents procurement process, and The money raised by this 238,000 rides. However, those were impressed with the pro- ending as late as November pilot program is designated stats also show that most peo- viders’ fast response time, 30. The city will allow up to for the city’s Strategic Road ple were riding the scooters for many were disappointed three operators. Since more Safety Action Plan. recreation, not transportation. that the burden of reporting than the original three have In 2020, that plan added Only two percent of e-scooter misparked e-scooters was expressed interest, it will no-right-turn-on-red restric- trips connected with transit sta- placed on residents who were require all operators to com- tions, fully protected left tions. Weekends (3200 trips on not responsible for this be- pete for a spot. turn arrows, roundabouts, average) were more popular haviour,” the staff report said. Providers will be evalu- and mid-block pedestrian than weekdays (2700). In response, Wilker ated on criteria including signals; expanded the Walk- One of the reasons for the said the city would be add- their safety record, outreach/ ing School Bus program pilot was to replace car trips. ing more parking zones for education plans, their pricing and cycling safety courses; Wilker noted that, of the scooters besides the furniture structure, innovation, and ef- and eliminated Red Reverts 1856 riders who responded zone of sidewalks; require e- fective issues management Looking for a good home? where pathways crossed to a city rider-only survey, 46 scooter apps to be capable of experience. roads, among many other percent reported driving less, reporting misparked scoot- The fleet size would be at initiatives. and 33 percent reported trav- ers directly to providers; in- least doubled, to between 1200 In 2021, all eight loca- elling less as a car passenger. crease its own education of and 1500 scooters. To increase tions will have fixed cam- However, only 2.5 percent riders and require providers their fleet, scooter providers eras. of riders filled out that - sur to increase theirs; and require will have to deploy them over City staff will report vey. In a later public survey, providers to issue warnings an increased central area “to to council on a permanent the most popular (76 percent) and then remove riders for mitigate against the risk of over speed camera program in reason for renting an e-scooter parking violations. Many of supply, which could lead to mid-2021. was “fun or leisure.” these had been implemented sidewalk clutter.” The primary complaints by providers in 2020. City Council was to con- about the scooters were side- Councillor Catherine sider the program on Feb. 10. walk riding and scooters not McKenney said they were Find out more in a longer parked correctly, with 237 not yet sure if they supported version of this story on complaints received. Elgin, the continuation of the pilot, centretownbuzz.com.

SHAWN ANTHONY with Apse the Gate February 25 7:30PM Streamed live from Arts Court Tickets $20 ottawastorytellers.ca FEBRUARY 12, 2021 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA 7 Centretown Community Association report MPP report: building a mass CCA’s Centretown Support Network and is lead gar- movement for disability rights dener for the volunteers gar- Joel Harden in COVID is important.” ship program being offered dening in St. Luke’s Park. recently received heart- The doubt I had now by our provincial govern- Rose Clancey helped create felt pleas from people took shape. Many folks ap- ment. I am grateful to have Foundations and Pathways I with disabilities on so- plying to the equine hardship the opportunity and option to Ottawa. Ward Verschaeve is cial media. They were upset program were supporters of apply; however, we won’t be a busi- that the province of disability rights and are in and this is why: social isola- ness student. had announced emergency need of help. They either ran tion, poverty and essential Three CCA directors help for equine (i.e., horse, therapeutic riding programs programming cancellation were also re-elected at the mule, donkey, etc.) busi- or supported people who did. due to COVID-19 have im- AGM: Natale Dankotuwage, nesses, while people with We needed an alliance here. pacted those living on ODSP Stuart MacKay, and Alice disabilities are languishing I called Amanda Holt, and children with disabilities Nakanishi. Four directors on poverty incomes during another horse owner. I ex- in the worst way. will continue their two- COVID-19 as their costs in- plained the plight of disabled “These families need our year terms on the board: crease. Ontarians and asked her to government to immediately Jack Hanna, Mary Huang, I was furious and pledged write something we could provide meaningful financial Mindy Sichel is the new CCA president. Jerry Kovacs and Larissa to raise hell. But something share. She wrote: aid to those who are hardest old son deliver The Cen- Schieven. seemed wrong. Having “I take strength from my hit in this crisis. The isola- Jack Hanna tretown BUZZ each month. The CCA’s AGM Zoom been raised in a rural home, horses when I connect with tion, financial constraints, Sichel describes herself as meeting was attended by 140 I had heard of stables with them. And I hope that you, limited support [are] magni- New president a feminist and a progressive. people. The online election therapeutic riding programs the strong equestrians of On- fied, especially for those with Mindy Sichel was elected Her priorities include people- saw 196 ballots cast. for people with disabilities. tario, will use that strength permanent disabilities and as the new president of the and-family-friendly develop- What equine businesses to raise your voices for those the families that have lost association at the January ment, affordable housing, and City consults on were getting this help? Were who need our support now. respite care for ... loved ones AGM. safer walking and cycling, as community safety we lashing out against allies? If you own a horse, love a during the COVID-19 crisis.” Sichel has served on the well as diversity and inclusion. The province has told So, I inquired further and horse, ride/drive a horse, As we work for a more CCA’s board for two years The other candidate cities to develop a commu- got this reply from a family or just like looking at these enabling province, it’s worth and been active on its plan- for president was Charlie nity safety plan and the city friend: gorgeous animals, raise your remembering our allies are ning committee. She has Brenchley, a union communi- is conducting public consul- “... these subsidies aren’t voices in gratitude for what everywhere. We need a worked to protect heritage cations officer and member of tations. for people’s pets. [T]hese we have and in concern for broad alliance for action and buildings and big trees, and the board of the Centretown In late February, public subsidies are for horses that those who need immediate the Ford government must to secure family-sized hous- Community Health Centre. meetings will be held on gen- are used in lesson programs assistance.” feel that pressure. ing units in new develop- The AGM thanked out- der-based violence and vio- ...riding programs have been I then called Jennifer That’s why I’m asking all ments. At the start of the going President Shawn Bar- lence against women; hous- shut down for a long time, Semach, co-owner of Walk- horse lovers to jump on so- pandemic, when most toilets ber for all his hard work ing (including affordable, so people are having to feed about Farms Therapeutic cial media and follow Aman- were closed to the public, leading the CCA over the last accessible and supportive and care for animals that Riding Association in Min- da and Jennifer’s lead. Use she advocated to get porta- two years. housing, wait lists and home- are essential to their busi- den Hills, Ontario. I shared #ODSPoverty so your words potties set up in Centretown. lessness); and integrated and ness but who aren’t, at the Amanda’s statement with her and pictures are seen. We She is a technology prod- New and returning directors simpler systems (to make city moment, bringing in any in- and asked if she would con- need a mass movement for uct manager for tech com- Three new members government more stream- come through their work in sider one as well. Within the disability rights and you can panies and the federal gov- were elected to the CCA’s lined and collaborative). the school ... So, while we hour, Jennifer offered this: be part of that movement. ernment. She has helped to Board of Directors. Beth For the schedule of public should be paying out more to “Many wonderful people Tell Premier Ford to raise develop the CCA’s new web- Ayres, a federal public ser- meetings and to sign up, search people on ODSP, I also think have been tagging me in ref- ODSP rates now. site, and she and her 10-year- vant, helped launch the for “CSWB Eventbrite.” supporting small businesses erence to the equine hard- 8 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA FEBRUARY 12, 2021 What’s on(line) this month in Ottawa and beyond ary 24. Award, Directing Award (for performs the lead role of Tickets and more de- Sian Heder, pictured here), Ruby Rossi, learned Ameri- tails are available at: https:// the Grand Jury Prize and the can Sign Language (ASL) to nac-cna.ca/en/calendar/ Best Ensemble Cast. play the role. Heder accept- list/2021/02 ed her awards from home speaking in ASL. Canadian Museum of Film buffs can watch History an interview with the cast The Canadian Museum and crew of CODA at: of History in re- https://www.youtube.com/ opened on February 10. watch?v=OyjuNfTIPiU (18 Reservations are required min. long) to visit the site at: https:// www.historymuseum.ca/. Valentine’s Day 2021 Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, February 14 Wednesday through Sunday. marks a historic first anniver- A fraught scene from the new National Film Board short documentary, Martha. sary of the pandemic. Family Day Chocolate lovers should Tony Wohlfarth In) and journalist. Regis- new 21-minute documentary Family Day, February 15, get their orders in early at: tration is free but booking film, Martha. Martha is a coincides with the last week- stubbechocolatesottawa. his month, the Na- in advance is required at: 90-year-old survivor of Aus- end of . Sian Heder won the Directing com/ tional Capital Com- https://www.historymuseum. chwitz and the matriarch of For a list of activities, T mission (NCC) ca/event/an-evening-with- three generations of family. check out: www.savvymom. Award for CODA at Sundance. Tony Wohlfarth is an Otta- opened the Rideau Canal desmond-cole/. The webcast In this film, she visits a ca/article/things-to-do-over- It’s a coming-of-age sto- wa-based freelance film, arts Skateway, while Winter- begins at 7 p.m. holocaust museum with her the-family-day-long-week- ry about a deaf fishing family and entertainment writer. lude and events marking nephew and is heartbroken end-in-ottawa/ in rural Massachusetts and is He participated in the online Black History Month have International Holocaust to learn how her own moth- a remake of a 2014 French Sundance Film Festival become virtual. Remembrance Day er died. Directed by Daniel Sundance 2021 film,La Famille Belier. month and the NAC virtual Events marking the 76th Schubert, Martha can be The Sundance Film Fes- What makes CODA spe- performance by Saskatch- Black History Month anniversary of the liberation streamed at: https://www. tival is the first major festi- cial is that most of the cast ewan’s own Connie Kaldor Events marking Black of the concentration camp at nfb.ca/film/martha/ val of the year. Held in Park is deaf. The British-born on January 30, courtesy of History Month are avail- Auschwitz-Birkenau (Janu- City, Utah, it has pivoted this actress Emilia Jones, who the NAC. able online. BUZZ read- ary 27) were marked online. National Arts Centre year to an online format due ers can check out the They are available for view- (NAC) to the pandemic. I have been website for details at: ing at: https://en.unesco.org/ Many performances at the holed up this month watch- www.blackhistoryottawa. commemorations/holocaus- NAC are being live streamed ing movies from Sundance. com/ tremembranceday this month including a Val- On February 18, a web- entine’s Day performance CODA cast will highlight celebrated Watch new NFB short by Jill Barber on February CODA had its world pre- Canadian author Desmond documentary 14, Dominique Fils-Aimé on miere at the 2021 Sundance Cole. Cole is an award-win- The National Film Board February 19, and the Indig- Festival, where it won four of ning author (The Skin We’re of has released a enous Book Club on Febru- the top awards: the Audience

Catherine McKenney City Councillor for Somerset Ward

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